Food and Health E-ssentials

The Commission of the European Union (EU) has recently adopted decisions that will authorise the use of five different genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) in products intended for food or feed use.

According to a press release issued in early August, the Commission has renewed three existing authorisations (covering maize DAS-59122-7, maize GA21, and sugar beet H7-1), and authorised two additional GMOs (maize MON 87427 x MON 89034 X NK603, and maize 1507 x 59122 x MON 810 x NK603). The Commission’s authorisations for these GMOs are valid for 10 years, but any products produced from these GMOs are subject to the EU’s labelling and traceability rules.

The Commission notes that its action was based on a comprehensive authorisation procedure, which included a favourable assessment of the approved GMOs by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The Commission action also has the legal backing of EU Member States, each of which were given the opportunity to review the Commission’s proposed authorisations in advance.

The complete text of the Commission’s press release is available here.